Fire-alarm system and controlling means therefor



APPLICATION FILED MAY 5, I921.,

III/VE/VTOR.

L. C. MILLER. FIRE ALARM-SYSTEM AND commune MEANS THEREFOR.

APPHCATIO" FILED MAY5192L 1, ate lw NOV- 14, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

/l 7 2i 2d) INVENTOR Patented Nov. 1%, 1922.

I Louisc iinrua. or venom-i nonouen, nnwa insnvf.

F nn-Atlanta svsrn u Ann CONTROLLING MEANS. ma mas.

To all wig/om may concern:

Be it known that 1', Louis C. li lrmacn, a citizen of the United States, residing in the borough of Verona, county of Essex; and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Fire-Alarm Systemsand Controlling lvleans Therefor, of which the following is a description. 4 This invention has reference to firealarni systems and particularly relates to control lingineans for said systems, such that upon a riseoir' temperaturaja thermostatic device will operate so as to transmit a si nal; or set in action an alarm, indicator, or other means by which to give notice of the existence of a fire, i

Among the objects of my invention may be noted the followingiito provide a system I of means by which an alarm besounded,

or a signal given, in case of lire or undue rise,

in temperature in any predetermined' place, the control being by medium of one 'or more devices capable of beingroperated in the presence of a lowdegreeof heat to provide a system as just stated adaptedto be set inoperation by a controlling device actuated by the fusing of a metal a low degree or heat ;',to provide a system of means wherein the vitalizing element is a 'liey,,connectoror controller, or a plurality of the same insertedin a signal line the said controller comprising a compound body whicltis held i na locked, or normal position, by solder capable'o'f'li'using at low degree of heat, and the movement of whiclrbody causes a circuit line; conduit or other medium to give or ljGIQiQZESQ/(l sothat an alarmis set in actionor a si nal is operated; to provide an more controllers which may be set in action by a low dgee ofiheat and which at the completion its action is ionized in such position'tliat it can be 'lurther utilized in the system by areversal of position; to provide signaling orfire alarm systemwith a phirality off'diversified branches eomn'iunic airing; with a single alarm or'signaling device conveniently located; or a centralor predeten mined station, and wherein the'control" oi the diversified branches is brought about by connector, controller-or device :whichis P QTlDliZtBCl iO go into action in the presence eta low degree of heat by reason of the fusrm'or' signaling system comprisin one or Application near/m 5,1921. s r al No. 465,941,

ing of a component part thereof; to provide fire alarm system comprising diversified leads, a junction-boxer apparatus; and, an alarm or signaling device, wherein the controlling means is a device which may beset in action by the fusingof aflmetal in the presence of a low'de'gree of'heat, and which controlling device is automatically reset for further or continued service as the result or its functional operation; and to providecertain details ofc onstruction and certain arra'ngements of lines, leads, or branches constituting a system or means for setting in action an alarm orlslgnal, which are slmple,

compact economical to construct and maintain, and which are strong, durable and of fectiveh with the above objects in view and others which will be set torth during the course of this description, my invention consists in the parts, features; elements and combinations thereof" hereinafter described and i claimed.

In order that my invention may be clearly understood I have. provided drawings wherein: v

Figure l is a view showingpartly' in elevation and section,- certain details constituting a single line system and control embodying my invention, the view being broken in several places to convey the idea of indefinite length; v a

Figure 2' is a View, partly in elevation and sectionl of terminal andalar n of a multiplex system of signaling embodying my invention r a Figure 3 is a top plan View of the terminal ofjFigure Figure 4 is a view showing in end eleva-.

tion due of the bridges of Figure 1, the view bein somewhat enlarged;

Figure 5 isa plan view showing a signaL ing'system'embodying diversified leads and and v Figure 6'is adiagrammatic view showing a signaling system embodying my invention wherein a plurality or diversified leads and unction-boxsare employed. v

1 Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Figure 1, whlchshows a singleline system, a plurality of bridgesor' brackets are provided for attachment to the ceiling,

a junction-box embodying my invention;

walls, or any supporting medium. established for the installation of the system, each of said bridges consisting of a body portion 1, adapted to be secured in place'in any suitable manner, having at each end a looped, supporting member 2, arranger. at an angle to the bocy portion, the end of the looped portion being held by a screw on which turned a nut 41-, the loop 2 thus forming a clamp which adjustably holds a conduit section 5 in the form of a pipe or suitably formed tube through. which wires 6 may freely pass and which wires are protected by the conduits from moisture, atmospheric conditions, dust, or other accumulations, the tendency of which might be to impair the elliciency of the wires or affect their operation. The bridges are adapted to be applied to any surface and the form of the body portion 1 is not material, the essential being that it shall be of such form as to afford a means oi? support and attachment to anythin and in any place the installation. of the system is to be made, Also the bridge be more or less extensive so to locate the loops 2 as far apar" as may be required to enable the controlling devices to be inserted an suspended, as presently described. Between the loops 2 of the bridges, the conduits 5 are omitted, and in the space between the loops the adjacent ends of the leads or wires 6 are connected to a controllingdevice, in this instance of my invention consisting of a compound meni lar to that disclosed in my it :ltl,1l2,226, granted Sept. 29, 1914. The controlling device consists of two disks, one of which. 7 is shown in Figure l, pivoted together centrally at 8, and between the two having a circular pocket 9, formed by registering grooves in the respective disks and preferably sinuous in outline, and adapted to con-- tain a solder or metal tusib e at a low degree of heat. The metal when set holds the disks 7 securely together so that the same cannot be shifted relatively evenwhen subiected to considerable tension or strain.

One of the disks 7 is provided with two arms l0, 13 extending approximately .iadially therefrom on opposite sides of the disk, the arms being bent s..l, l1tly inwardly relatively to the inner surface of the disk. The other disk is provided with arms 1.1, 12 arranged. in the same manner and bent slightly inwardly toward the inner surface of the disk, this arrangement 01 the arms oi the respective disks causing adjacent arms at their bases 14 to engage each other when the disks rotate on their pivot. The acent cooperative arms thus operate as stops forming a limitation to the rotation of the disks. The inner edge of each of the arms of the several disks is cut away longitudinally asat l5 and is provided with one or more notches 16 adapted to receive the loops at the ends er or key simi-- of the wires or leads 6 by which the con-' stitute stops for the opposite arms and limit the movement of the controlling device or key, when set in operation, to prevent the said arms from coming together and being set so that the wire loops cannot be engaged with the notches thereof when the key is reversed and reset for further operation in resetting and priming the signaling line.

At one terminal of the line, which I will call the tension terminal, a tube 1? is clamped in the terminal loop 18 of the terminal bridge, said tube having a shoulder 19 to prevent displacement. A screw-threaded bar 20 slides freely in the tube 17 and its iner end is connectedto a key or controller, as by having an eye in which is looped the end of a terminal wire of the system, the screw-threaded outer end of the bar 20 having a jamsnut 21 abutting againstthe shoulder 19 of the tube 17, so as to draw the entire signal line taut, or to draw it up sufliciently to take out all slack or sag which will naturally occur when the controlling keys are being set in place. At the opposite terminal of th line, or the one nearest the alarm or signaling device, which, for convenience will be termed the tripping terminal]? the bridge or bracket will have a trip-bar 22 loose in its terminal loop 23, the inner end of which bar is provided with an eye in which is looped the, end of a terminal wire of, the system, and said bar 22 is provided. with a collar 24: against which one endoi a coiled expansion spring 25 engages, the opposite end. of which engages the bridge loop 23, the spring surrounding the bar. The outer end of the bar 22 is'extended into the signaling device 26 and operates in any approved manner to trip the same and set it in action, in the event the line breaks or gives way by reason of the operation of any one of the controlling devices or keys. In this instance of my invention, I have shown an alarm, gong or bell provided with any approved form of motor, escapement, and hammer adapted to be tripped. into action to cause the gong to be rung. According to my invention, the form of the alarm or signaling device is not important, nor the mannor in which the same is tripped into action; but, as showing a means for the purpose, the bar 22 has a cam 27 thereon, in the form of a truncated cone, which engages the hammer arm 28, so that, when the alarm is set, the hammer arm 1 ing under the influence oflthe escapementito ring the gong. "When. the triprbar. 22-'is' shifted to allow the' hammer arm: 28' to wing the gong, said arinwill operate oppositethe thereof. Eachof the-bars 34;: also passes- "smallest diameter of the cam. 27, at which point there will'be' ample clearance. for. com- PlQtG-ZEIBBClOIIIOf action of. said arm.- The setting: of the hammer ar1n28 out of operation'will bebrought' about by shittingigthe trip-bar 22 underet'he influence ofthe line wires'and connecting'keys when the tension device at the'tension terminal of the line is adjusted to take" up the slack; This. operation also puts the spring 25'1- unden compression', so'vthat the-normal tendency ofthe'latter'is to. press the trip-bar toward the alarm to shift the cam 27 andrelease.- the hammer arm. The holdingot' the" hammer arm by the cam on the tripj-bar' locks the escape- 1nent,' sothat the motor of the gongcann'ot operate. When; however, anythinggives way in'the line, for anycause or reason, the

spring '25 will quickly shift the trip-barwhich willshiftthe'cam out of control' of l the hammerarm; thus releasing the latter and the es'capenn'ent, soithatthe motor of the gong'will be set in operation and the-haminer' arm will be actuated. to ring the: gong.

This will be true of any forni" of signaling device'at 26,- the latter being tripped into faction automatically and: set for action". simultaneously with" the: adjustment of: the tension 1 Qnthe signal line. When 7 thus" set foe-action, the=:cam 27 will be. drawn? with its small-end 29 against the base" 30 of the device 26; so that -th'ei'cam' '27 at. itslarge end, cannot be drawn out of place or out=of oooperative' position relatively to the ham,- mer'arm28. Likewise, whenthe'trip-bar22 is shifted by the spring 25, its movement will be limitedby-the cojllar'31 thereon engaging the loop 23 of the bracket, thus insuring that the' hammer'arm will not 'bein terfered With' and'that it will be alwaysfiin position-t0 operate freely to' ring the gong.

In FiguresQ and 3 I have shown aform ofiny' invention wherein a plurality of si'g na ling lines,- comp'osedo f thev elements shown in Figurel, are" brought'toasv tripping terminal. bridge 32' which has'a' bearing member. 33 provided" with a plurality of apertures through" which passibaraterminals 34, each of which is connected at oneend to a line wire 6', whichis looped inanieye 35 through a bearing member 36 carriedbythe bridge 32. An expansion spring 37 surroundseaoh bar 34 andhas one'end engaged with the 1nember'33 and: the opposite: end v Preferably, the outlets are flared; as'at 52, 'so as tonavoidufriction.,againstthe: wires engaged :with a-collar-38 fixed on saidterminal bar, the normaltendency' of the spring being itO force the bar outwardly so that the barfiwill: be automatically .IShiftQCla-"Whlli the flei jates incthe same :manner with the hammer arm 28 as in F igure l. The "spring 4clzbears line gives-way, A swinging tripping wing 39 is arranged adj acent", the end of the -ter minal-bars and in position tobe engagedby any fone of saidibars and shiftediso as to en"- gage the trip-bar, e0 of analarmvorJsigna-l 26 which, in this instanceof' my inven t-i-on V willhav'e at its inner:endfwithin' the gong or" alarm device a: surrounding expansion.

so that the:1atter,xwhen acted ,upon byone or moreof the'te'rininal bars; willin turn .opcrate.- upon the end of the: trip-bar and force the; same inwardly so "as to compress 1 the spring! tl surroundlng its inner end. and

slii-ftfthecam 27j'so as to. release the esc apementQ'The-motor ofthegongwillrthenop} "eratexthe-qhamnier arm to: sound the alarm. Tihetripping, wing 39'. is" pivoted to the fears A2- of the; bridge 32, .andfthe tripping bar- 40 passeslthrough the bearing of-g aid bridge. Tl-hestop collar Misplacedronsbar 40 so :as j to cooperate with the base30 oithe signal device; "Thetcain. 27; is thefs'ar'ne and coopat. one=endagainst a fixture-4'5,and; at hthe other end? against theicam"27.l Y Itiwill now be seen that, ,regar'dlessgofwhich one I of the lines gives way," the wing 39 twill be: actuated by" a: bar: 34:- to? actuate vthee tripebar. 40am sett the alarm .26 in operation. 1 This form: of myi 'inventionfcomp asseszithe idea off-means of a pliirahty of Isignal lines being. brought :to a

coinmon 'terininal adjacent? the; alarmiland lines-in giving: way can operate the signal or: alarm device: n'Wheni the tension terarranged compactly-s05 that 5 any 1,0116 of the minals of the lines; are all set,ithe wing-'39 will: swing.- into;.the position -01? vFigure .2. -.underthe influence vof tlie trip bariwwhich v. -is automaticallyishifted by the-spring'lso hold the hammer v as v-.to-= cause the 1cam' 27tto 'a rn'i-28o.ut ofaaction; a 1 p In the .torm of. my nventionshown int Figure 5,- l havesprovidedjfor a system of s diversified branchesgjincluding a junctionbox: 46. inwhich a device "is located consisting'ioif'fa plurality-"of arms. 47 pivoted to gatherso. asrto produce four-sided j u-nction} device} Amcoiledlcontractile spring 48 is connected to .theitwo timpositei pivotal points d9 of the junction device x the 1 normal tendency. ofxwhich fis to. draw saidfitwo [pivotal points together and. force the two gopposite' pivotali-points 50', i 50? apart. The unction- I born is provided'with four tubularfoutlets 51 through which the line wires 6' extend, the

tubular outlets being sufficiently greatin diameter to allow vof consideiablef lateral play or movement of the .line wires" therein.

when i the lines give way. Each 1 of the line; wires Lat-the; j unction-box is connected .to one tension.

hand side of Figure 6, the lead at the left scribed, the junction device will beheld in approximatelythe square shape or condition shown in Figure 5, thus distending the spring 1 8, which latter places the junction device under tension. l l ith the several signal lines properly set and under tension as described, the junction device within the junction-b x is practicallysuspended, or it may be said to float within the junction-box, since it is universally movabletherein and is susceptible of shifting one way'or the other as tension is applied to the diversified lines, and is likewise capable of shifting therein according to which one of the diversified lines gives way by reason of the operation of a controlling device in any one of the said diversified lines,

to the pivotal point 50. In the operation of this diversiied system, if any one of the controlling devices or keys in one of the leads a or 5 gives way, the spring a8-will contract and thus shift the pivotal point 50, thus releasing the line wire leading to the alarm, which,-as described with reference to Figure 1, will shift the trip-bar'22, thus releasing the hammer arm. 28 of the alarm, so that the escapement maybe operated by the motor of the gong. @n the other hand, if the lead cgives way, the junction device will be shifted bodily in the direction of the lead line running directly to the alarm, and the latter will be operated as described. llf the direct alarm line d gives way, the-alarm will be operated as previously described,

In the diagram of Figure 6, a further diversified form of signaling system is shown. comprising a plurality of junctionboxes 46,'junction devices 457 and leads 'run ning thereto, the junction'device's in the several boxes losing connected in the system so that, regardless of which one of the'lines, gives way, a signaling device will be operated. In this diagram all the similar parts and elements of the other forms of my in vention are indicated by like characters. This system of means is adapted for very large installations and isillustrated to demonstrate the flexibility of my signaling system its adaptability to practically every condition which may be encountered in large factories, oflice buildings, etc, The various leads run to junction-boxes which may be located in differentparts of a large room or may be located, respectively, in a numberof rooms.

puts that particular line with its keys, and extending to a unction-box, under proper As shown, beginning at the right similar As shown in Figure 5, one of the leads will extend to the slgnahng device 26, the one so shown being connected single signal at a conspicuous or advantageous point; for, if anyone of the l1nes gives mail = instances it Each of the lines is pro vided with a tension device 20-2iwh1ch at the right side thereof,extends to asimilar junction-box, which latteris connected in manner to another junction-box, which in turn is connected to another junction-box, from the left hand side ofQwhich extends the-terminal line having the a'larm 26 atthe terminal end thereof. Leads may extend from the several junction-boxes in the several directionsshown; but, in some instances, it ma 7 be found necessary to omit one of the leads, in which instance one side of the junction device will be anchored as at 53 in the two central'units of Figured The side which is anchored will have one end of the spring d8 connected therewith, so that, when a line 6 gives way, as in Figure 5, the spring will contract, thusqshifting the pivotal point 50 so as to slacken the vline at that side and cause the signal to be set in operzuzion; From this diagrammatic view illustrating the flexibility of my systennit will be seen that any number of leads can be combined, all with a view to operating a way for any reason whatsoever, the: efiect thereof is transmitted to theadjacent junction-bo:;, the junction device wherein immediately transmits the signal throughout the series intervening between it and the signal device, Tension is applied in this disified system at theend of eachiof the ,nal lines so as to draw the latter taut and tain it thus, and,;t vhen the main line extendin from the signal device is put under tension, all the -junction devices in the several junctionboxes will be affected and -properly set, it remaining then to set the various branch lines by manipulating the tension terminal, thus putting the entire sys-. tem in order. Regardless of the cause of the break or giving way of any one of the signallines, the signaling device will be 0p- ,erated and immediate investigation willtalre .110 place to determine whether the cause he a fire or some defect in one or more of the lines. Thus the system can always be main tained in proper working condition, fires can be instantly detected, and can be prevented from gaining headway. In most will be possible to extinguish the same by chemical devices, which will always ,be at hand, thus avoiding extensive damage. Y

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is :1. A system of means for signaling com prising a sectional line; a controlling device 125 inserted between the sections; a rigid, adjustable tension terminal at one end of the line; a trippingterminal at the opposite end of the line; and an alarm operatively connected to and restrained by the tripping'l3 v terminal; tlrecontrolling device comprising means'ad'aptedto beoperated in the presence'of a'low degree of heat, whereby to release the tripping device to setthe alarm in" operation; v 2.- A system of means for signaling com-- prising sectional line; a'reversible con trolling device inserted between the secterminal bar under tension; controlling de-- vices connecting the sections of said line Wires and adapted to be operated in the presence of a low degree of heat; atripping device coupled with said alarm device and common to all said terminal bars, and adapted to be operated by any one of said bars when its line wire gives way. 30

4, A signaling system comprising an alarm, a tripping device therefor, a signal line extending to the tripping device, a controlling device interposed'in the signal line adapted to be operated in the presence of a low degree of heat, an adjustable tension device applied toone terminal of the signal line, and a power device interposed between the tripping device and the signal line adapted to operate the tripping device when w the controlling device operates.

5. A signaling system compr sing a plus rality of independent signal lines each havinga tension terminal; a junction device for said llnes; a signaling devlce common to all said lines; a tripping means common to all said lines and cooperating with said signaling device and with said junction device; each line having a controlling means adapted to operate in the presence of heat and thereby set in operation the tripping means without disturbing the operative condition of the other lines. j

6. A signaling system comprisinga plurality of independent signal lines; a junction device connecting all said lines including means for holding them under tension; a

, signaling device common to all said lines; a

tripping means arranged cooperatively with said signaling device and said junction de-.

vice, whereby when a line gives way the tripping means will actuate the signaling device without disturbing the operative condition of the other lines. I

7. A signaling system comprising a plurality er 'divefsified lline s afjunctionbox into which all C said lines f are? extended;

meansgwithin said box for connecting and holding said linesfunder t'ension a] slgnalingdevice' common toalls'aid lines; atrip-J- ping device coupled "to said"; signaling de vlcean'dito a11,. a1d1m s;:-and means in each 1 line adapted to givewayin the presence of heat sothat the tripping device will operate the signaling-device. 7 l.

8. A signaling system comprising a plurality-of diversified lines;'a junction box into which all said lines are extended;-a'

floating connection within saidgjunction box for all saidllnes; a signallngdevice, common to all said lines a,trippingdevice coupled to said signaling device and toall said j lines;- and means in each line adaptedi to give way in the presence of heat sothat the j I tripping device will operate 'the signaling device. v n

9. A signaling system comprising a plu-f rality of diversified lines a-junction box into which all said lines are extended; means said linesf; each o1 the lines having an adj ustable. terminal; afsignaling device common to all'said lines; a'tripping device cou- Ipled to said signaling device and to all of said lines; and meansin each line adapted to 3 give way in the .presenceof heat so that the tripping device will operate ,thesig naling device. a 2

within said box for, connecting and holding v 10. A controllingkey for signaling devices i 1 comprising a pair of "disks pivoted togetherv for clrcular movement, each of; Sand disks"- having a pair of oppositely extending arms, H I

a fusible means for holding the disks against movement, each of said armsbein'g provided with a shoulder an d va notch, the shoulders belng so arranged as 'to'interact with an ad-j jacent arm and-prevent the-latter "from coming together'atthe point where the notches are located.

I 11. A reversible controliing' key for Sig naling devices, comprising a pa1r of p vo tally connected plates adapted to move rel atively; fusible means betweensaidqplates for holding them from movement; each of.

said plates'having a pair of oppositely :ex-

tending arms, and each'of said arms being provided with-means for limiting itsm'ovement and with .means forholding a signal Wire, the arms being so related that when two thereof are together in cooperative'relar i i '12. A-system of means for signalingcom tion the other two are spread apart prising a sectionallineja controlling device inserted between the sect1ons; means at one end of the line for rigidly holding the same;

a tripping terminal at the oppositeend of the line; and an alarm operatively connected to and restrained by thetripping terminalithe controlling device comprlsing means adapt ed to be operated in the presence of a low l degree of heat whereby to release the tripping device to set the alarm in operation.

13. A signaling system comprising an, alarm device; a sectional line wireof lndefinite length having a terminal bar under tension and its opposite end rigidly held; controlling. devices connecting the sections of LOUIS c; MILLER. 

